downstage
1 of 2adverb or adjective
down·stage ˈdau̇n-ˈstāj 
1
: toward or at the front of a theatrical stage
2
: toward a motion-picture or television camera
downstage
2 of 2noun
down·stage ˈdau̇n-ˌstāj
: the part of a stage that is nearest the audience or camera
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 The cast spends most of their time downstage, front and center. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 Tesshi Nakagawa’s scenic design focuses attention on the handsome downstage dining area. Charles Mcnultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 There’s the stage with different acoustics upstage and downstage, the orchestra level seating area, under the balcony, which is an extremely deep area with a low ceiling, and the upper balcony. oregonlive, 27 Sep. 2021 The piece ends with a massive, rectangular plank, with a relatively small square cut out at one end, tipping over and toward associate artistic director and longtime company performer Cassandre Joseph, standing downstage. BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2021 After Lapine confuses upstage and downstage and gives inappropriately harsh notes, Grammer, who plays several small roles, reams the director out in front of the company. New York Times, 28 July 2021 Once the opera gets started, all the activity is downstage, leaving a dark, empty space behind. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2020 Since the 18th century, orchestras have relied on the leadership of a single individual standing downstage center and waving a baton, sculpting the sound to their preference. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2019 See More
Noun
At one point, there’s a misplaced spotlight, illuminating nobody, and a performer well downstage of it, looking at it like a member of the audience, regards the empty circle with something resembling suspicion. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 The cast spends most of their time downstage, front and center. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 Tesshi Nakagawa’s scenic design focuses attention on the handsome downstage dining area. Charles Mcnultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 There’s the stage with different acoustics upstage and downstage, the orchestra level seating area, under the balcony, which is an extremely deep area with a low ceiling, and the upper balcony. oregonlive, 27 Sep. 2021 The piece ends with a massive, rectangular plank, with a relatively small square cut out at one end, tipping over and toward associate artistic director and longtime company performer Cassandre Joseph, standing downstage. BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2021 After Lapine confuses upstage and downstage and gives inappropriately harsh notes, Grammer, who plays several small roles, reams the director out in front of the company. New York Times, 28 July 2021 Once the opera gets started, all the activity is downstage, leaving a dark, empty space behind. Heidi Waleson, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2020 Since the 18th century, orchestras have relied on the leadership of a single individual standing downstage center and waving a baton, sculpting the sound to their preference. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adverb Or Adjective
1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
circa 1931, in the meaning defined above